The three-day annual Kailash Yatra commenced on Wednesday from the ancient Vasuki Nag Temple in Gatha, Bhaderwah town in Jammu, with religious fervor and traditional festivity.
This sacred pilgrimage, deeply rooted in the spiritual heritage of Jammu and Kashmir, draws devotees seeking divine blessings at the high-altitude Kailash Kund (14,700 ft) in the Bhaderwah sub-division of Doda district.
However, in a significant precautionary measure, authorities have curtailed the number of pilgrims this year following a recent cloudburst incident in the Padder region of the neighbouring Kishtwar district, where more than 67 pilgrims of Machail Mata were killed and about 80 are missing.
The Doda District Administration has taken the step, given the adverse weather advisory and restricted participation in the yatra to ensure the safety of pilgrims. This decision of the Doda administration has been appreciated by people.
Amidst chants in praise of Lord Vasuki Nag, the holy mace — Chhari Mubarak — was ceremoniously carried through Bhaderwah town. The yatra received a warm send-off from prominent dignitaries, including DDC Chairman Dhananter Singh Kotwal, MLA Dalip Singh Parihar, Senior BJP Leader Dr. Nirmal Singh, SSP Doda Sandeep Mehta, and other senior administrative and police officials, alongside hundreds of locals.
The pilgrimage will halt overnight at Hayan (Nalthi) and is scheduled to reach Kailash Kund on 21 August, where devotees will take a ritual dip in the sacred glacial lake.
After performing traditional rites, the return journey to Bhaderwah will begin on 22 August.
Known locally as the Chhari Yatra, the Kailash Yatra is believed to be over a millennium old. Pilgrims trek through steep, rugged Himalayan terrain to reach Kailash Kund, considered the mythical abode of Lord Shiva. Bathing in its icy waters is believed to cleanse sins and bestow spiritual merit.
This yatra is more than a religious journey—it is a symbol of communal harmony, shared devotion, and cultural resilience, uniting people across regions and backgrounds in an enduring celebration of faith.